''The body is feeling great, the ball is coming out of the hand well and I will be at full speed,'' warned Australia's blond bomber who has been feeling his way back in the first two Tests after an elbow injury.

With Lee in that mood, and both Glenn McGrath and Jason Gillespie already in top form, England need a response from their own 'quicks'.

But Darren Gough who promised so much while grabbing 14 victims in the two Tests against Pakistan, has failed to come up with the goods when it really counts.

Seven wickets, costing 38 each, in the first two Tests were scant reward for his efforts. And he was desperately unlucky when England dropped chances off him at Lord's. But the fact remains that Gough has been below his best.

Concerns

There are worrying signs that, despite the central contracts system, he is suffering from too much cricket - and that he is believing too much of his own publicity.

The body language is different. A shrug and a smile have been replaced by a frown and gesticulating arms. He seems more touchy about criticism. The Dazzler has lost some of his shine.

At Headingley he wrecked Lancashire with 96 cleanly hit runs and three wickets in four balls, and hopefully that will boost him for the most vital match of the summer. England have got to win this one otherwise the Ashes stay Down Under.

This time he and new ball partner Andy Caddick will get good support from Alex Tudor, recalled after a two-year absence, and fast and bouncy enough to shake up the Aussie top order if he pitches it in the right place.

Tudor can stake a claim to a long England career in the next few weeks. Dominic Cork has faded from the scene, and Gough and Caddick can't go on forever.

Gough, 30, looks sometimes as if he needs a rest now but over the next five days England need him at full throttle. It's time for the Dazzler, a larger than life character, to restore the legend.